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Footsteps of St. Paul in Turkey

10
Day Itinerary

DAY 1 Wed: DEPART USA

Depart the USA for Turkey on our transatlantic flight. Dinner and
breakfast served aboard overnight flight.

DAY 2 Thu: ISTANBUL

Your representative awaits to
greet you as you land in Istanbul. After transferring to your hotel,
the remainder of your day is free. Welcome dinner at a local
restaurant. Overnight in Istanbul. (D)

DAY 3 Fri: ISTANBUL

Morning Mass at
St. Esprit Cathedral.
Istanbul sightseeing includes Topkapi Palace the Byzantine
Hippodrome (once used for Chariot races), the Grand Bazaar with its
3,000 exotic shops.(B,D)

DAY 4 Sat: ISTANBUL

Morning meeting
with Vatican representative of Istanbul. After a brief lecture of
Catholics history in Turkey, visit the Catholic quarter of Istanbul.
Continue to La Paix hospital or Petites Soeurs assisted living, to
pay respect to elderly and poor Catholics in need. Evening Mass at
St. Antoine Church.(B,D)

DAY 5 Sun: ALEXANDER
TROAS / ASSOS / CANAKKALE

In the Morning
we drive along the Sea of Marmara and we ferry across the Dardanelle
waterway to Troas visited by St. Paul on his third Journey, then we continue to Assos where St. Paul was joined by St. Luke. Dinner
and overnight in Canakkale.(B,D)

DAY 6 Mon: PERGAMUM &
ASCLEPION / THYATIRA / SMYRNA

After breakfast
we visit Pergamum's acropolis, home to the Altar of
Zeus, and the Roman medical center of Aesculapiums, then continue to
Thyatira a city of artisans' guilds in
St. Paul time. For evening we continue to Izmir (Smyrna)
Homer's birthplace on the Aegean coast. Evening mass at St.
Polycarp Church.Dinner and overnight in Smyrna. (B,D)

DAY 7 Tue: EPHESUS /
PAMUKKALE

This morning we
explore Ephesus with its expansive synthesis of Greco-Roman and
Christian remains. It was home of St. Paul between 54 and 57 AD. Nearby we
visit the Virgin Mary’s House on a wooded hilltop where it was
miraculously discovered. Finally we stop at the restoration of St.
John's Basilica where according to legend, he was buried. For
evening we continue on to Pamukkale, the white "Cotton Fortress"
lime cascades of the Roman spa Hierapolis. Enjoy a leisurely bath in
the warm mineral waters of your hotel's pool. Dinner and overnight
in Pamukkale.(B,D)

DAY 8 Wed: HIERAPOLIS /
LAODICEA / PHILADELPHIA / SARDIS / BURSA

After breakfast we
visit the Hierapolis. This was Philip the Evangelist's home. We will
tour the extensive necropolis, churches and baths then stop at
nearby Laodicea. Then continue to
Philadelphia, a favorite city of St. Paul and John. We visit Sardis with its beautiful gymnasium and marble
paved synagogue. Continue to Bursa, first capital of Ottoman Empire
where you can enjoy real Turkish bath, the famous kebab and great
shopping opportunities. Dinner and overnight in Bursa. (B,D)

DAY 9 Thu: NICEA /
ISTANBUL

Visit the site of
the first ecumenical Council in Nicea. Continue to Istanbul.
Istanbul sightseeing includes the Saint Sophia Basilica, ancient
seat of Byzantine Church, and the Blue
Mosque (famous for unequaled ceramic tiles). Farewell dinner at a
local restaurant after a short cruise on the Bosphorus where Europe
meets Asia. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)

DAY 10 Fri: ISTANBUL / USA

After breakfast, transfer to the
airport for our return flight to the USA arriving home the same day.
(B)

Price
is based on a minimum of 25 passengers.
There are a limited number of single rooms available.Add $119 departure tax, $280 fuel surcharge and $189 for
optional travel insurance. Departure taxes and fuel surcharges
are subject to change up until the time The Catholic Tour
purchases the group tickets, typically 60-30 days prior to
departure.